- \n
- Ensure all engines are serviced.\n
- \n
- Change the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs, if applicable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check for fuel line leaks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Grease drive shafts and service points.\n
- \n
- Pumps should turn freely and be properly lubricated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For surface water intake, check that the line and screen are clear.\n
- \n
- Repair leaks if needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inspect pipes,\u00a0control valves,\u00a0and close manual drains\u00a0.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- When checking the\u00a0electrical\u00a0system,\u00a0use proper safety procedures<\/em>,\u00a0never<\/strong>\u00a0grab the door of the panel box with your hand,\u00a0as it\u00a0could\u00a0be charged, always use the back of your hand or check first with a non-contact voltmeter.\n
- \n
- Check power connection\u00a0is operational and that wires are not frayed, damaged, or burnt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/Panel-box.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce the start-up checklist has been completed, then move on to an operating checklist, which includes pressure, flow, sprinklers, end guns, and pressure regulators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pressure should be checked with\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0gun\u00a0on,\u00a0in use, and in the same location as the last time checked.\n
- \n
- Check the pressure at the pump as well as the pivot point and ensure that they\u00a0match\u00a0the\u00a0manufacturers\u2019\u00a0chart\u00a0(conflicting pressures could be a sign of a problem).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/pressure-gauge.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- With\u00a0water\u00a0flowing, check the system flow rate at your installed flow meter and\u00a0compare\u00a0the manufacturers chart with the pivot fully functioning, including the end gun.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/drop.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo check sprinklers, walk the length of the pivot and make note of malfunctioning nozzles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Also check for clogs, worn impact plates, and missing sprinklers.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fifty percent of the crop is irrigated by the last thirty percent of the\u00a0pivot,\u00a0so working sprinklers are crucial.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you have not performed a pivot uniformity test in 5 or less years, you should consider this, especially if you are visually seeing issues, and\u00a0this is critical if you plan to do any sort of chemigation or fertigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The end gun tends to be the most problematic\u00a0with incorrect settings. Make sure the end gun is not clogged. A\u00a0general rule to go by is to set the end gun at 10 and 3. Large areas are covered by the end\u00a0gun,\u00a0so proper settings are important to not over or under irrigate the area.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/end-gun.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Any pivots equipped with\u00a0variable\u00a0rate irrigation should be fitted with pressure\u00a0regulators which\u00a0should be compared to\u00a0each other for even pressure. Replace missing, leaking, or\u00a0malfunctioning\u00a0regulators.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drain valves are designed to allow air to escape from pivot lines while\u00a0filling,\u00a0however\u00a0stuck valves can cause excess water applications or will allow water to stay stuck in the pivot line.\n
- \n
- Replace or repair malfunctioning valves.\u00a0Leaks are easy to\u00a0identify\u00a0but need to be repaired even if they seem minor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pivots should have proper alignment with the\u00a0towers,\u00a0improper alignment can cause significant problems.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Test pivot safeties\u00a0and stops\u00a0to ensure functionality as malfunctioning\u00a0safeties\u00a0and pivot stops\u00a0can cause damage to the pivot or anything in its path.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/stops.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Check for wear and tear on tires as well as\u00a0pressure,\u00a0tires tend to go flat in the winter.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remove drain plugs in gearboxes to allow condensed water to drain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check oil levels and grease fittings on the driveline.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure driveshafts are in good operating\u00a0conditions. Local irrigation dealers will have special gearbox\u00a0oil for leakproof performance if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pivot Point Checklist:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Inspect anchor bolts and grease the pivot point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Test\u00a0auto stop\u00a0and auto reverse\u00a0in the control panels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure stops have not rotted or rusted\u00a0to the point of not being activated by the sensor.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid applying water to roadways with the end\u00a0gun,\u00a0this can become a liability issue.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Chemigation\/ Fertigation Checklist:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- For chemigation\u00a0and fertigation, check the pump and safety equipment and calibration of the pump.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check hoses,\u00a0seals, and backflow prevention valves\u00a0are in good working order\u00a0and\u00a0compliant\u00a0with the laws.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pivot Uniformity:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Uniformity tests are also something to\u00a0be\u00a0considered\u00a0at\u00a0this time of year.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- UGA has publications on performing your own pivot uniformity test\u00a0but also offers this service for free.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uniformity tests will allow problems in the pivot to be\u00a0pinpointed,\u00a0especially\u00a0if they cannot be seen by the naked eye.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/precisionagirrigation.extension.uga.edu\/files\/2026\/03\/pivot.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Savannah Beasley, Sarah Beth Thompson, and Wesley Porter We had plenty of cold weather and below freezing temperatures this past winter. The near-term forecast shows that we are mostly out of the freezing temperatures, but you never know what will happen between now and Easter. Ideally, you properly prepared your irrigation systems for the winter and will not have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":244,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/244"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1961"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1962,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1961\/revisions\/1962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/tattnall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Test pivot safeties\u00a0and stops\u00a0to ensure functionality as malfunctioning\u00a0safeties\u00a0and pivot stops\u00a0can cause damage to the pivot or anything in its path.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- With\u00a0water\u00a0flowing, check the system flow rate at your installed flow meter and\u00a0compare\u00a0the manufacturers chart with the pivot fully functioning, including the end gun.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Check the pressure at the pump as well as the pivot point and ensure that they\u00a0match\u00a0the\u00a0manufacturers\u2019\u00a0chart\u00a0(conflicting pressures could be a sign of a problem).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Pressure should be checked with\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0gun\u00a0on,\u00a0in use, and in the same location as the last time checked.\n
- Check power connection\u00a0is operational and that wires are not frayed, damaged, or burnt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- When checking the\u00a0electrical\u00a0system,\u00a0use proper safety procedures<\/em>,\u00a0never<\/strong>\u00a0grab the door of the panel box with your hand,\u00a0as it\u00a0could\u00a0be charged, always use the back of your hand or check first with a non-contact voltmeter.\n